Police name London man being hunted over Sussex 'body-in-boot' murder probe

26-year-old Christopher Jeffrey-Shaw of London is urgently being sought in connection with a suspected murder in SussexSussex Police

Police have named a 26-year-old Londoner they wish to speak to about the discovery of a body found by fire-fighters in a blazing Volkswagen Jetta dumped near Ifield Golf Club close to Horsham, West Sussex last Friday (13 March).

Christopher Jeffrey-Shaw, of Lewisham, south east London, is described as being 6ft tall, of stocky build, with dark hair and a stubbly goatee beard. Police have asked the public not to approach him but to call police immediately.

Police were initially unable to tell the sex of the victim, but a post-mortem revealed she was a young woman in her twenties who had died of smoke inhalation, suggesting she was still alive when the car was torched. Her identity is not yet known.

Detective Chief Inspector Karen Mizzi from Surrey and Sussex major crime team said: "We need to urgently trace Christopher Jeffrey-Shaw in connection with this murder inquiry.

"A young woman has died in horrific circumstances. If anyone has any knowledge of where this man is or may know the identity of the victim, please come forward.

"Also we would like to hear from anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously or the vehicle, a Volkswagen Jetta, in Rusper Road, Ifield on Friday between 2pm and 3pm."

A 34-year-old woman from Dulwich, south London who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder has been released on bail until 30 March.